Three new Bok prospects for year-end tour

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The United Rugby Championship is four rounds in and there are a number of uncapped prospects who can make the Springboks squad.

The Springbok squad for the end-of-year tour will be named on Tuesday.

The Boks head to the Northern Hemisphere to face Wales (November 6), Scotland (November 13) and England (November 20).

Here are three players who arguable can make the Springboks November tour squad.

Salmaan Moerat (Stormers, lock)

The Stormers lock is expected to be one of the new faces in the Springboks squad for the tour. The lock has been part of the Boks’ plan for some time.

However, a serious neck injury in April kept him on the sidelines for a large part of 2021.

The No.4 returned to the field in September and has been in great form for the Stormers.

Leading from the front, the Stormers captain was a prominent figure during his team’s 20-all draw against Edinburgh.

Unfortunately, he has been raking in some yellow cards. However, he makes up for it with his abrasiveness.

The talented skipper will certainly gain a lot by being part of the Springboks group and learning from the likes of Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager and Franco Mostert.

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Ruan Nortje (Bulls, Lock)

While Salmaan Moerat is in pole position to get a Bok call-up, making a valid case for selection is Ruan Nortje.

The lock was excellent during the Currie Cup season and has built on that performance in the URC.

Aside from his line-out organisational skills, the lanky 23-year-old’s work rate is immense.

The Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White revealed that Nortje is very reminiscent of Franco Mostert and Pieter-Steph du Toit.

Nortje is a very exciting up-and-coming player, who can greatly benefit in the Boks squad in a position that has plenty of depth already.

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Evan Roos (Stormers, No.8)

Evan Roos is a name that has been making waves in South African rugby.

Touted as the next Duane Vermeulen, Roos has consistently delivered some incredible performances for the Stormers in the United Rugby Championship.

The 21-year-old played a key role as the Stormers 20-all draw against Edinburgh – making 15 tackles with a 100 percent completion rate as well as eight carries while winning one turnover.

He backed that up with another impressive display during the Stormers’ win over Dragons.

Roos is a formidable eigthman, who can also play at flank and lock – certainly, a feat that makes him a suitable candidate for Bok jersey.

The other candidates that have made a case for selection are  Sharks scrumhalf Grant Williams, Sharks captain Phepsi Buthelezi and Bulls fullback David Kriel.

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